Noting the increasing numbers of grandparents who have taken on the role of parenting their grandchildren, short- or long-term, this manual addresses the themes and problems that are the most central ...to grandparents who are raising grandchildren, including drastic life changes, parenting issues, frustration, and legal problems. The book is divided into three sections. Section 1, "When the Second Shift Arrives," covers the personal and social aspects of raising grandchildren: the changes, the feelings, and the problems of adult children, grandchildren, and family in general in these circumstances. The section starts with an overview of the recent rise in grandparents as parents and looks at some of the myths about the phenomenon. Section 2, "Through the Red Tape, " addresses the bureaucratic part of raising grandchildren, the legal issues, and the availability of government assistance and special education. Section 3, "Strength in Numbers," focuses on the larger community of grandparents as parents and provides information on finding and starting support groups as well as on the political aspects of the grandparent movement. The appendices include a list of resources for grandparents and relative caregivers, conversation topics that should be addressed by grandparents and support groups, and finally information on specific grandparents whose stories are mentioned in the book. Contains 136 references. (AA)
